Plant protection and growth stimulation by nanoscalar particle folial delivery

• US 20060014645A1
• Filed: 07/11/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward Q. Yavitz
• Original Assignee: Edward Q. Yavitz
• Inventors: Yavitz, Edward Q.
• Granted Patent: US 7,494,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 504/241
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/28 Microcapsules or nanocapsules
• CPC Class Codes: C05F 11/10 Fertilisers containing plant vitamins or hormones
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 47/10 Physical and chemical treatment of agricultural soils
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 71/904 Carrier

Abstract

A technique is provided for delivering plant supportive materials to plants. The technique utilizes encapsulation of a plant growth facilitator, such as a plant nutrient, water or pesticide, in small structures that may be taken in through the stomata of plants. This enables a more efficient treatment, watering and/or feeding of plants by foliar application.

Claims

1. A method of enhancing plants, comprising:

administering to a plant a biologically active material encapsulated in a cochleate structure.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein administering comprises spraying the biologically active material encapsulated in the cochleate structure onto multiple plants.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein administering comprises dusting the biologically active material encapsulated in the cochleate structure onto multiple plants.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein administering comprises administering a nutrient in the cochleate structure.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein administering comprises administering a pesticide in the cochleate structure.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein administering comprises administering a hormone in the cochleate structure.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein administering comprises administering a hormone in the form of auxin within the cochleate structure.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein administering comprises administering a protein in the cochleate structure.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein administering comprises administering water within the cochleate structure.

10. A method for treatment or feeding of plants, comprising:

providing a plant supportive material in cochleates; and

delivering the cochleates to plant cells by foliar application.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein delivering comprises foliar watering of the plurality of plants with the plant supportive material.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein delivering comprises foliar fertilization of the plurality of plants with the plant supportive material.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein delivering comprises dusting the cochleates onto the plurality of plants.

14. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein delivering comprises spraying the cochleates onto the plurality of plants.

15. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein providing comprises providing water in the cochleate structure.

16. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein providing comprises providing a plant nutrient in the cochleate structure.

17. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein providing comprises providing a plant pesticide in the cochleate structure.

18. A method for treatment or feeding of plants, comprising:

encapsulating a plant supportive material in particles having diametrical dimensions of less than about 1000 nanometers to facilitate foliar application of the plant supportive material.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising applying the particles to plants.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein encapsulating comprises encapsulating a plant nutrient.